Inspire: My Word of the Year.

Have you ever felt alone? Tired? Undeserving? Afraid? Have you ever questioned the very essence of life? Asked yourself “Why”? Wondered if hope actually existed?

Yeah me too.

The moment someone first said that to me, I was inspired. The first time they said it and I actually accepted it, understood it, believed it, I was inspired. The first time I realized I wasn’t the only one, I was inspired.
This person that first inspired me, I don’t think they realize it. But from that day forward, all the people I inspire, they are inspired not only by me, but also the person who inspired me in the beginning. It’s a never-ending cycle of inspiration. Let me repeat that: A never-ending cycle of inspiration.
Never.
Ending.

Sure, I’ve been inspired by others before this person I have mentioned. I have been touched by people, moved, urged to make a change. I hear stories of people and get inspired. I see things people are doing and get inspired. I read other blogs, articles, books, and get inspired. I listen to music and get inspired. Almost everything we do, inspires us.
But the one thing that has inspired me above all else is knowing I’m not the only one.
I’m not the only one who struggles. I’m not the only one questioning life. I’m not the only one feeling alone. I’m not the only one.

You see it wasn’t just hearing that, it wasn’t just being told that countless times. It was believing it. Trusting it. With no doubts. No apprehension. Full faith in the statement—belief.
When I believed what this person was making known to me, I was inspired.

This person didn’t just speak words. They opened my eyes. They took my hand, and said “Come, see”. They encouraged me. They loved me. They made sure I knew I wasn’t alone.
They didn’t just speak words. They let me in to their world. They became vulnerable. Shared all they have done. To make sure I knew I wasn’t alone.

This person’s actions inspired me.
It made me understand a concept I’ve never fully grasped before: I’m not the only one.

Those thoughts of emptiness? I’m not the only one.
Those feelings of fear? I’m not the only one.
The questioning of the essence of life? I’m not the only one.
Asking myself “Why”? I’m not the only one.
The hard struggles? I’m not the only one.
Thinking I’m alone? I’m not the only one.

A simple phrase that would inspire the rest of my life—I’m not the only one.
A simple phrase that I try to pass on to everyone I meet—I’m not the only one.

My word of the year isn’t “Inspire” because I want to draw attention to myself. It isn’t so I can gain more followers or gain status. No, my word of the year is “Inspire” because this person introduced me to the never-ending cycle of inspiration, and it’s my turn to pass it on.
I want to inspire people to inspire others. I want to inspire people not just through my words, but my actions, my vulnerability, my presence. I want to inspire people by letting them know they aren’t the only ones.

That feeling you get when you realize something, or when you finally understand, I love that feeling. It helps me to know that there is a meaning, a purpose, a reason. So why wouldn’t I want everyone to experience the same feeling? It’s a feeling so indescribable; no matter how I try, my words aren’t adequate enough to describe it.

I get this indescribable feeling from two things: When I constantly am reminded I am not the only one. And when I get to remind others they aren’t the only ones.

I don’t quite know what it is, but when I reach out to someone, and through my actions and words let them know they aren’t the only ones, something sparks within them. When they believe it, it makes my heart happy. I will invest in as many people as I need to, because everyone needs to know they aren’t the only ones. The pay off is worth sticking by people’s sides.
To inspire them, watch them beam and glow from believing, and see them travel on and inspire others, that’s why I love it.
That’s why “inspire” is my word of the year.
It’s a never-ending cycle.

And it’s one I’m glad someone introduced me into. I am forever indebted to them. Their inspiration gets to spread on towards so many others. And chances are, they were probably inspired by someone else too—someone probably reached out to them and said “You aren’t the only one”.

Have you ever felt alone? Tired? Undeserving? Afraid? Have you ever questioned the very essence of life? Asked yourself “Why”? Wondered if hope actually existed?

Yeah me too.

You aren’t the only one.
It’s never too late to join the cycle.
I’d be willing to invest my time in you to make sure you knew it.
Because someone took the time to invest in me, too.